Livestock structures and related methods

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a floor, wherein the floor is configured to support livestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof is substantially parallel to the floor; and one or more supporting structures configured to support the roof; in some embodiments, the floor comprises a non-zero slope. Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a passageway extending a majority of a distance between a first side and an opposing second side of the structure, wherein the passageway is positioned at an elevation that is below an elevation of the floor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/430,165, filed Feb. 10, 2017, which is expressly incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to livestock structures andmethods, such as those, for example, for accommodating and/or milkinglivestock.

2. Description of Related Art

Examples of livestock structures can be found, for example, at U.S. Pat.No. 4,986,469 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0052935.

SUMMARY

The structures of this disclosure, and features thereof, providenumerous efficiencies and advantages over preexisting structures. Aswill be described in detail below, the present structures canaccommodate large numbers of livestock (e.g., cows, goats, sheep, hogs,poultry, camels, and the like) due to the size of the structures. Forexample, in some embodiments, one to 100,000 head of livestock, or more,can be accommodated and/or milked (if applicable) in the presentstructures. The unique features of the present structures enable largenumbers of livestock to eat, drink, sleep, and, if applicable, bemilked, while maintaining desired air conditions, such as, air velocity,temperature humidity, dew point, and/or the like throughout thestructure to provide the necessary comfort to the livestock. Forexample, desired air conditions, such as temperature, may vary based onseason and/or geography, and, in some instances, air conditions can bemaintained such that an air temperature within a structure is from 66degrees Fahrenheit to 78 degrees Fahrenheit, and, more specifically, atapproximately 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a floor,wherein the floor is configured to support livestock housing; a roof,wherein a majority of the roof is substantially parallel to the floor;and one or more supporting structures configured to support the roof.

In some embodiments, the floor comprises a non-zero slope. In someembodiments, the floor includes a first portion having a first slope anda second portion having a second slope. In some embodiments, the firstslope and the second slope are substantially equal and extend inopposite directions. In some embodiments, one of the first slope and thesecond slope comprises 0.1 to 0.25 percent of slope.

Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise an airmanagement system to provide ventilation to the structure. Someembodiments of the present livestock structures comprise a plurality offans configured such that, when activated, the plurality of fans removeair from the structure. In some embodiments, the plurality of fans areconfigured to cause air to flow into the structure. Some embodiments ofthe present livestock structures comprise a heating and/or coolingelement configured to heat and/or cool air that flows into thestructure. Some embodiments of the present livestock structurerscomprise an air scrubber configured to separate methane from air removedfrom the structure by the plurality of fans. In some embodiments, theair scrubber is configured to direct air suitable for breathing into thestructure. In some embodiments, the heating and/or cooling element isconfigured to heat and/or cool the air suitable for breathing. In someembodiments, the methane is directed to an air unit that is configuredto at least partially power the heating and/or cooling element and/orthe plurality of fans. Some embodiments of the present livestockstructures comprise a blower configured to urge air removed by theplurality of fans to the air scrubber.

Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise apassageway extending a majority of a distance between a first side andan opposing second side of the structure, wherein the passageway ispositioned at an elevation that is below an elevation of the floor. Insome embodiments, the passageway comprises a height from 2 feet to 20feet; and a width from 4 feet to 300 feet. Some embodiments of thepresent livestock structures comprise a basement configured toaccommodate at least a portion of one or more vehicles. In someembodiments, the basement is positioned at an elevation that is belowthe elevation of the floor. In some embodiments, the passageway ispositioned at substantially the same elevation as the basement.

Some embodiments of the present livestock structures comprise aplurality of milking parlors on the floor, and wherein the plurality ofmilking parlors are positioned at least partially beneath the roof. Insome embodiments, the passageway is configured to provide access to oneor more of the plurality of milking parlors on the floor. In someembodiments, the passageway is sized to accommodate one or more humanssuch that the human can access the milking parlors via the passageway.

Some embodiments of the present livestock feeding systems comprise astructure having: a floor, wherein the floor is configured to supportlivestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof issubstantially parallel to the floor; and one or more supportingstructures configured to support the roof; one or more feed deliveryvehicles; and a guide track coupled to a portion of the roof that issubstantially parallel to the floor, wherein the guide track isconfigured to guide movement of the one or more feed delivery vehiclesabout the floor.

In some embodiments, the one or more feed delivery vehicles are coupledto the guide track while the guide track guides movement of the one ormore feed delivery vehicles about the floor. In some embodiments, theguide track is configured to guide movement of the one or more feeddelivery vehicles along a predetermined path about the floor. In someembodiments, the guide track is configured to guide movement of the oneor more feed delivery vehicles along an improvised path about the floor.In some embodiments, a global positioning system (GPS) is configured toguide movement of the one or more feed delivery vehicles about thefloor.

Some embodiments of the present methods of delivering feed compriseloading a feed delivery vehicle with feed, wherein the feed deliveryvehicle is configured to deliver feed in a structure, wherein thestructure includes: a floor, wherein the floor is configured to supportlivestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof issubstantially parallel to the floor; one or more supporting structuresconfigured to support the roof; and a guide track coupled to a portionof the roof that is substantially parallel to the floor; coupling thefeed delivery to the guide track; and guiding movement of the feeddelivery vehicle along guide track while the feed delivery truck remainscoupled to the guide track and while the guide track remains coupled tothe portion of the roof that is substantially parallel to the floor.

Some embodiments of the present methods comprise guiding movement of thefeed delivery vehicle along a predetermined path about the floor. Someembodiments of the present methods comprise guiding movement of the feeddelivery vehicle along an improvised path about the floor.

Some embodiments of the present structures comprise a commodity portionhaving: a delivery platform configured to accommodate one or morevehicles; a loader platform comprising one or more bays, each of whichare configured to be at least partially disposed beneath the deliveryplatform and are configured to receive product from the one or morevehicles on the delivery platform; and a mixing platform configured tosupport one or more mixers, wherein the mixing platform is disposed atan elevation below an elevation of the loader platform.

In some embodiments, the product includes animal fodder. In someembodiments, each bay is separated from an adjacent bay by a partition.In some embodiments, the partition extends from the loader platform tothe delivery platform. In some embodiments, the mixing platform islaterally spaced from the delivery platform.

Some embodiments of the present structures comprise a livestock portionthat includes: a floor, wherein the floor is configured to supportlivestock housing; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof issubstantially parallel to the floor; and one or more supportingstructures configured to support the roof. In some embodiments, thelivestock portion and the commodity portion of the structure are coupledvia a commodity passageway. In some embodiments, the commoditypassageway is isolated from air outside of the structure.

The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarilydirectly, and not necessarily mechanically. Two items are “couplable” ifthey can be coupled to each other. Unless the context explicitlyrequires otherwise, items that are couplable are also decouplable, andvice-versa. One non-limiting way in which a first structure is couplableto a second structure is for the first structure to be configured to becoupled (or configured to be couplable) to the second structure. Theterms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosureexplicitly requires otherwise. The term “substantially” is defined aslargely but not necessarily wholly what is specified (and includes whatis specified; e.g., substantially 90 degrees includes 90 degrees andsubstantially parallel includes parallel), as understood by a person ofordinary skill in the art. In any disclosed embodiment, the terms“substantially,” “approximately,” and “about” may be substituted with“within [a percentage] of” what is specified, where the percentageincludes 0.1, 1, 5, and 10 percent.

The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and“comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and“having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and“including”), and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains”and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a system,or a component of a system that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or“contains” one or more elements or features possesses those one or moreelements or features, but is not limited to possessing only thoseelements or features. Likewise, a method that “comprises,” “has,”“includes” or “contains” one or more steps possesses those one or moresteps, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps.Additionally, terms such as “first” and “second” are used only todifferentiate structures or features, and not to limit the differentstructures or features to a particular order.

Any embodiment of any of the present systems and methods can consist ofor consist essentially of—rather than comprise/include/contain/have—anyof the described elements and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims,the term “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” can besubstituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above, inorder to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwisebe using the open-ended linking verb.

The feature or features of one embodiment may be applied to otherembodiments, even though not described or illustrated, unless expresslyprohibited by this disclosure or the nature of the embodiments.

Details associated with the embodiments described above and others arepresented below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings illustrate by way of example and not limitation.For the sake of brevity and clarity, every feature of a given structureis not always labeled in every figure in which that structure appears.Identical reference numbers do not necessarily indicate an identicalstructure. Rather, the same reference number may be used to indicate asimilar feature or a feature with similar functionality, as maynon-identical reference numbers. At least some of the figures depictgraphical symbols or representations that will be described in thespecification and/or understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.The figures are drawn to scale, unless indicated otherwise.

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of one embodiment of the present structures,shown with a roof hidden.

FIGS. 2-5 depict front, back, first, and second sides, respectively, ofthe structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 depicts a magnified view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of the structure of FIG. 1, shown with acommodity portion, a passageway, and a basement.

FIG. 8 depicts a floor layout of the basement of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 depict a side view and a top view, respectively, of anembodiment of a commodity portion suitable for use with some embodimentsof the present structures.

FIG. 11 depicts the structure of FIG. 1, shown with a feed deliverysystem that is suitable for use with some embodiments of the presentstructures.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict first and second perspective views, respectively,of a second embodiment of the present structures, shown with anadministrative portion.

FIG. 14 depicts a third embodiment of the present structures, shown withan air regulation system that may be suitable for use with someembodiments of the present structures.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present structures can be constructed independently or in connectionwith designs of existing structures. Further, at least some existingstructures can be modified or supplemented to comprise one or morefeatures of the structures described in this disclosure.

The novel structures (e.g., 10, 10 a, 10 b) and related methodsdescribed herein can be designed to accommodate large numbers oflivestock and can be configured such that livestock housing, veterinarycare, milk extraction, milk processing, milk loading, milk storage, feeddelivery, utility management, and/or other functions are maintainedwithin the single structure. By providing one or more of theseaccommodations and/or functions within a single structure, an overallfootprint of the structure can be minimized. As described in furtherdetail herein, the positioning of one or more of these importantoperational functions within the structure and/or the physical featuresof the present structures and the related methods can be configured toprovide improved operational efficiencies, such as, efficiencies incooling and/or heating air within the structure, efficiencies inprecipitation collection, efficiencies in waste management, efficienciesin delivering, loading, and/or mixing commodity from a delivery vehicleand/or efficiencies in constructing the structure. The positioning ofone or more of these numerous important operational functions within thestructure and/or the physical features of the present structures and therelated methods described herein can also result in reduced humaninteraction with livestock, thereby improving livestock comfort, whichis important to a profitable, well-run livestock operation. Further, thephysical features of the present structures and the related methodsallow for the structures to be built on previously unsuitabletypography.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, shown therein and represented by numeral 10is one embodiment of the present structures. In the embodiment shown,structure 10 comprises a livestock portion 14 having a floor 18 and aroof 22. According to the present invention, at least a portion of roof22 is configured to be substantially flat relative to a portion of floor18 positioned beneath that portion of the roof. By configuring at leasta portion of roof 22 to be substantially flat relative to thecorresponding floor section, the air volume within livestock portion 14is reduced, as compared to prior art structures, such as thosestructures having gabled roofs. This reduced air volume therebyincreases efficiencies in cooling and/or heating air within livestockportion 14. To illustrate, by configuring at least a portion of roof 22to be substantially flat, warm air, which tends to rise within livestockportion 14, can remain closer to floor 18, thereby reducing a risk offrost development within the livestock portion in cold weatherconditions.

In the depicted embodiment, roof 22 includes a first portion 26 and asecond portion 30. First portion 26 of roof 22 is configured to besubstantially flat such that the first portion of the roof issubstantially parallel relative to a first portion 34 of floor 18 thatis below the first portion of the roof. Similarly, second portion 30 ofroof 22 is configured to be substantially flat such that the secondportion of the roof is substantially parallel relative to a secondportion 38 of floor 18 that is below the second portion of the roof. Aportion of a roof (e.g., 22) may be “substantially parallel” to acorresponding portion of a floor (e.g., 18) if a slope the portion ofthe roof is within five (5) percent of slope (e.g., any one of 0.5, 1,1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, or 5 percent of slope) of a slope of thecorresponding portion of the floor. In the depicted embodiment, at leasta portion of roof 22 can be configured to occupy substantially the sameplane. For example, first portion 26 of roof 22 occupies substantiallythe same plane. Similarly, second portion 30 of roof 22 occupiessubstantially the same plane. In some embodiments, a majority of a roof(e.g., 22), such as the entire roof, can be configured to occupysubstantially the same plane.

In this embodiment, at least a portion, e.g., first portion 26 and/orsecond portion 30, of roof 22 can be configured to include a sloperelative to horizontal. For example, first portion 26 of roof 22comprises a first slope. Second portion 30 of roof 22 comprises a secondslope. As shown, first portion 26 and second portion 30 of roof 22 canhave substantially equal slopes, e.g., though extending in oppositedirections. In some embodiments, a first portion (e.g., 26) and a secondportion (e.g., 30) of a roof (e.g., 22) can have unequal slopes. In thisembodiment, one or more portions, e.g., first portion 26 and/or secondportion 30, of roof 22 can have any suitable slope relative tohorizontal, such as, approximately any one of, greater thanapproximately any one of, or between any two of, the following: 0, 0.1,0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0,1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3,3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 15 percent of slope. Slope of roof22 can be measured using any suitable device, such as, a slope laserand/or a global positioning system (GPS).

These sloped portions of roof 22 can be configured to achieve theadditional advantage of encouraging precipitation, e.g., rain, snow,and/or the like, and/or debris, e.g., leaves, branches, and/or the like,that is on the roof to move off of the roof. Livestock portion 14 maycomprise a precipitation collection system configured to collectprecipitation that has collected on roof 22. By collecting precipitationfrom roof 22, a risk of collecting contaminated fluid is reduced, e.g.,as, for example, compared to collecting fluid that is permitted to fallfrom the roof onto, for example, floor 18 and/or ground. Fluid collectedby such a precipitation collection system can be reused, e.g., forconsumption by livestock, for consumption by personnel, for coolingequipment, and/or the like.

Roof 22 can comprise one or more suitable materials such that the roofcan exhibit a variety of preferable performance characteristics. Thesecharacteristics include the capacity to endure various weatherconditions, e.g., such as heat, precipitation, frost, wind, and/or thelike, exhibiting a suitable strength, e.g., to bear a load on the roof.In addition, the roof may have a suitable surface area, e.g., to protectfloor 18 from various weather conditions and/or have a suitable slope,e.g., to encourage precipitation and/or debris to move off roof, and/orthe like. As an example of material selection, roof 22 can comprise oneor more of the following materials, e.g., that can be used individuallyor arranged together in two or more layers, such as: thermoplasticpolyolefin (TPO) roofing, oriented strand board (OSB), metal decking,insulation, cold-rolled purlin, carrier beam, bar joist, scissor truss,laminated beam, and/or the like materials. In some embodiments, a roof(e.g., 22) may comprise an insulation that is not exposed to a floor(e.g., 18) such that, if a portion of the insulation breaks apart fromthe rest of the insulation, the broken portion of insulation isprevented from falling onto the floor and/or falling onto livestock onthe floor.

In the depicted embodiment, at least a portion of floor 18 can beconfigured to occupy substantially the same plane. For example, firstportion 34 of floor 18 occupies substantially the same plane. Similarly,second portion 38 of floor 18 occupies substantially the same plane. Insome embodiments, a majority of a floor (e.g., 18), such as the entirefloor, can be configured to occupy substantially the same plane. Floor18 can comprise one surface or a combination of surfaces, such as, anatural surface, e.g., such as dirt and/or a man-made surface, e.g.,such as concrete.

In this embodiment, at least a portion, e.g., first portion 34 and/orsecond portion 38, of floor 18 can be configured to include a sloperelative to horizontal. For example, first portion 34 of floor 18 cancomprise a first slope. Second portion 38 of floor 18 can comprise asecond slope. As shown, first portion 34 and second portion 38 of floor18 can have substantially equal slopes, e.g., though extending inopposite directions. In some embodiments, a first portion (e.g., 34) anda second portion (e.g., 38) of a floor (e.g., 18) can have unequalslopes. In this embodiment, at least a portion, e.g., first portion 34and/or second portion 38, of floor 18 can be configured to comprise anysuitable slope relative to horizontal, such as, approximately any oneof, greater than approximately any one of, or between any two of thefollowing: 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7,0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.25,2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 15 percent of slope.Slope of floor 18 can be measured using any suitable device, such as, aslope laser and/or a global positioning system (GPS).

The particular slope of floor 18 can be selected based on one or morelivestock factors, such as, a livestock bedding type, type of wastemanagement system(s), and/or the like. To illustrate, a portion of afloor (e.g., 18) having livestock bedding that comprises compost mayinclude a slope that is generally less than a slope of a portion of thefloor having livestock bedding that comprises sand. For further example,a portion of a floor (e.g., 18) having a flush waste management systemmay have a slope that is generally greater than a slope of a portion ofthe floor having a dry scrape, mechanic scrape, auto scrape, vacuum,and/or the like waste management system. At least because a portion(e.g., first portion 34 and/or second portion 38) of floor 18 comprisesa slope, the portion of the floor can be configured to assist with wastemanagement by encouraging waste and other debris to move along thesloped floor.

The particular slope of floor 18 can be selected based on one or moreenvironmental factors, such as, a slope of ground beneath the floor. Forexample, livestock portion 14 may incorporate an existing slope ofground beneath floor 14 to define a slope of the floor. To illustrate,livestock portion 14 may incorporate an existing slope of ground beneathfloor 18 by, for example, building a portion of the livestock portion ona side of a hill. In this illustration, the hill may have a slope of 5percent of slope relative to horizontal. If a desired slope of a floor(e.g., 18) is 2 percent of slope relative to horizontal, then the floorbuilt on the hill should have a slope of 3 percent of slope relative tothe hill, thereby ultimately yielding a floor having a slope of 2percent of slope relative to horizontal as initially desired. In thisway and others, at least a portion of the present structures can bepositioned on previously unsuitable topography.

Roof 22 can be at least partially supported by one or more supportingstructures 42 (see FIG. 3, for example). In this embodiment, supportingstructures 42 can comprise substantially the same length at leastbecause one or more portions of roof 22, e.g., first portion 26 andsecond portion 30, are configured to be substantially parallel to floor18. In some embodiments, such as those embodiments wherein one or moreportions of a roof (e.g., 22) are non-parallel relative to a floor(e.g., 18), at least some supporting structures (e.g., 42) can be thesame length. In this way and others, livestock portion 14 of structure10 can achieve the additional advantage of increasing constructionefficiencies by reducing the number of unique parts required toconstruct the livestock portion. Supporting structures 42 can compriseany suitable material, such as metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, iron,and/or the like), a composite material (e.g., concrete), and/or thelike.

In the embodiment shown, livestock portion 14 includes a first side 46,a second side 50, a front side 54, and a back side 58. First side 46 cancomprise a first side wall 62. Second side 50 can comprise a second sidewall 66. Front side 54 can comprise a front wall 70. Back side 58 cancomprise a back wall 74. In this embodiment, one or more of first sidewall 62, second side wall 66, front wall 70, and back wall 74 can beconfigured to support roof 22. One or more of first side wall 62, secondside wall 66, front wall 70, and back wall 74 can comprise any suitablematerial, such as, metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, iron, and/or the like),concrete, polyester, polyethylene, canvas, and/or the like.

Livestock portion 14 can be configured to control air conditions such astemperature, humidity, air flow, air quality, and/or the like within thelivestock portion. In the embodiment shown, at least a portion of backwall 74 can be configured to control air flow (e.g., from outsidelivestock portion 14) into the livestock portion. For example, back wall74 can comprise sheeted sidewall, curtain sidewall, louvers, and/or thelike that is movable to control the amount of airflow into livestockportion 14. For example, during cool climates, back wall 74 can be movedto cover a majority of back side 58, and thereby restrict airflow intolivestock portion 14. Conversely, during warmer climates, back wall 74can be moved to uncover a majority of back side 58, and thereby allowmore airflow into livestock portion 14. In some embodiments, a back wall(e.g., 74) of a livestock portion (e.g., 14) can include one or moreopenings to control airflow into the livestock portion.

Livestock portion 14 can include any suitable system or combination ofsystems to control air conditions within the livestock portion. Suitableair management systems include natural ventilation systems and/or forcedventilation systems. A natural ventilation system may use a naturaldriving force, such as, wind and buoyancy, in combination with sheetedsidewall, curtain sidewall, louvers, and/or the like, to control airconditions within a livestock portion (e.g., 14). On the other hand, aforced ventilation system may use a mechanical driving force, such asone or more fans (e.g., 82), in combination with sheeted sidewall,curtain sidewall, louvers, and/or the like, to control air conditionswithin a livestock portion (e.g., 14). In some embodiments, a forcedventilation system may comprise an air regulating system (e.g., 206)(described in further detail below), such as a heating, ventilation, andair conditioning (HVAC) system.

In the depicted embodiment, livestock portion 14 can comprise one ormore fans 82 (see FIG. 2, for example) positioned on at least one offirst side 46, second side 50, front side 54, and back side 58. In theembodiment shown, livestock portion 14 includes one or more fans 82positioned along front side 54 (e.g., coupled to front wall 70) suchthat, when the one or more fans are activated, air is removed from thelivestock portion by the one or more fans (e.g., by pulling air fromwithin the livestock portion toward the front side of the livestockportion). When one or more fans 82 are activated, the fans may cause airfrom outside livestock portion 14 to flow into the livestock portion. Inthis way and others, back side 58 of livestock portion 14 can serve asan air inlet to allow air to enter livestock portion 14 and one or morefans 82 can serve as an air outlet (e.g., the fans can be in fluidcommunication with an exhaust vent) to allow air to exit the livestockportion. One or more fans 82 can be adjustable such that air velocity,e.g., measured along a direction between first side 46 and second side50, is substantially uniform. In this way and others, livestock comfortwithin livestock portion 14 can be maintained regardless of the locationof a head of livestock on floor 18.

In some embodiments, a livestock portion (e.g., 14) can be configured tocomprise an opening in a roof (e.g., 22) to permit air to enter thelivestock portion through the opening such that the air can eventuallybe removed from the livestock portion by one or more fans (e.g., 82) ata first side (e.g., 46), a second side (e.g., 50), a front side (e.g.,54), and/or a back side (e.g., 58) of the livestock portion. Conversely,in some embodiments, a livestock portion (e.g., 14) can be configured tocomprise an opening in a roof (e.g., 22) to permit air to be removedfrom the livestock portion through the opening by one or more fans(e.g., 82) disposed beneath the opening. Such an opening can beconfigured to extend substantially parallel to a first side (e.g., 46)and/or a second side (e.g., 50) of such a livestock portion and canextend for at least a portion of a length of the first side and/or thesecond side (e.g., approximately any one of, or between any two of, 1,5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 and 100 percent of the length of the firstside and/or the second side). Additional details regarding such anopening can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/996,713entitled “Livestock Structures and Methods,” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In this embodiment, a bottom surface 86 of roof 22 may be substantiallyflat such that air moving along the bottom surface of the roof, e.g.,air moving from moving from back side 58 toward front side 54 oflivestock portion 14, minimizes condensation on the bottom surface ofthe roof. For example, roof 22 can be configured such that bottomsurface 86 does not include baffles and/or the like, which may otherwisebe required to prevent the propagation of mold, rust, and/or the likeand/or to provide sufficient ventilation (e.g., in gabled roofs).

In some embodiments, a livestock portion (e.g., 14) can include mistersand/or misting systems configured to introduce mist into the livestockportion (e.g., in front of one or more fans 82) to further cool airwithin the livestock portion. Such misters and/or misting systems can beconfigured to include high pressure misters that provide a fine mist,which permits air to be cooled without, for example, saturating theground and/or livestock bedding materials.

Livestock portion 14 can be sized to accommodate any number of head oflivestock, such as, approximately any one of, greater than approximatelyany one of, or between approximately any two of, the following: 1, 200,500, 750, 1,000, 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000, 7,000, 8,000, 9,000,10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000,60,000, 70,000, 80,000, 90,000, 100,000, 200,000, 300,000, 400,000, and500,000 head of livestock. For example, at least one of first side 46,second side 50, front side 54, and back side 58 (e.g., first side wall62, second side wall 66, front wall 70, and/or back wall 74,respectively) can each comprise a length from approximately 100 feet to2,500 feet, such as, approximately any one of, greater thanapproximately any one of, or between any two of the following: 25, 50,100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1,000, 1,100, 1,200, 1,300,1,400, 1,500, 1,600, 1,700, 1,800, 1,900, 2,000, 2,100, 2,200, 2,300,2,400, 2,500, 3,500, and 5,000 feet.

Livestock portion 14 is configured to accommodate one or more milkingparlors 90. Livestock portions 14 of the present disclosure can includeany suitable type of milking parlors or combinations of types of milkingparlors in order to milk livestock within the livestock portion. Forexample, milking parlors 90 suitable for use with the present structures10 and methods can include any suitable combination of herringbonemilking parlors, parallel milking parlors, rotary milking parlors,general retention milking parlors, and/or the like. Any one or moremilking parlors 90 can be manually operated and/or robotically operated.

Both herringbone and parallel milking parlors include a first side and asecond side. A herringbone parlor positions the livestock, on both sidesof the parlor, at a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the parlor(e.g., 30 degrees) during milking. In contrast, a parallel milkingparlor positions the livestock, again on both sides of the parlor, at asubstantially perpendicular angle relative to the parlor during milking.In contrast to the herringbone and parallel milking parlor designs, arotary milking parlor includes a substantially circular parlor thattypically rotates at a predetermined, adjustable speed. Livestock enterthe rotary parlor for milking, and once the rotary parlor has rotatedapproximately 360 degrees, the livestock exit the rotary parlor.Finally, constituting a newer generation of milking parlors, generalretention parlors include a platform and one or more lasers, roboticallymovable arms, brushes and/or suction cups to provide sanitation,milking, and/or the like with little or no human intervention. All ofthe above milking parlor types can accommodate numerous heads oflivestock. Typical designs can accommodate from ten or more heads tomore than one hundred and fifty (150) or more heads of livestock and allnumbers in between.

In this embodiment, each milking parlor 90 can be disposed between firstside 46 (e.g., first side wall 62) and second side 50 (e.g., second sidewall 66), and between front side 54 (e.g., front wall 70) and back side58 (e.g., back wall 74). By disposing one or more milking parlors (e.g.,90) within a single livestock portion (e.g., 14), the length of materialneeded for utility conduits, such as, milk lines, wash lines,communication lines, and/or the like is reduced.

In this embodiment, each milking parlor 90 includes one or more milkingstations 94 (see FIG. 6, for example) configured to robotically milklivestock. For example, each milking parlor 90 can include six (6)milking stations 94. In some embodiments, one or more milking parlors(e.g., 90) of a livestock portion (e.g., 14) can be sized to include 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 or moremilking stations (e.g., 94). In this embodiment, each milking station 94is at least partially disposed within an enclosure 98 such that one ormore components of the milking station are isolated from livestock toprovide conditions that are sanitary, safe, and/or compliant withregulatory code. While each milking station 94 herein is shown as beingstatic (e.g., immovable relative to enclosure 98), in some embodiments,one or more milking stations (e.g., 94) can be movable about livestockportion 14. For example, in some embodiments, one or more milkingstations (e.g., 94) can be brought to livestock such that milkextraction can be conducted anywhere within a livestock portion (e.g.,14), such as, in a livestock bed (e.g., 102), in a feed lane (e.g.,106), in a walking lane (e.g., 110), in a holding pen (e.g., 118),and/or the like.

Livestock portion 14 comprises a plurality of livestock beds 102 (seeFIG. 6, for example). As shown, livestock beds 102 may be arranged inone or more rows. Each livestock bed 102 can be configured toaccommodate a head of livestock such that the head of livestock can restand/or sleep in the livestock bed. Livestock portion 14 can beconfigured to include one or more feed lanes 106. Each feed lane 106 maybe sized to accommodate an automated feed delivery system, such as, afeed delivery vehicle (e.g., 198, see FIG. 11), a feed conveyor belt,and/or the like, which moves through one or more feed lanes to depositfeed for consumption by the livestock as discussed in further detailbelow.

In this embodiment, livestock portion 14 comprises a plurality ofwalking lanes 110 (see FIG. 6, for example). Each walking lane 110 isconfigured to allow livestock to safely move about livestock portion 14(e.g., along a path defined by the walking lane). For example, eachwalking lane 110 may comprise a slip-resistant (e.g., grooved, textured,and/or the like) material comprising any suitable material, such as, oneor more of the following: concrete, rubber, dirt, sand, hay, and/or thelike. As shown, walking lane 110 can be disposed between two rows oflivestock beds 102 and/or between a row of livestock beds and feed lane106.

Livestock beds 102, walking lanes 110, and/or feed lanes 106 may each beseparated by one or more partitions 114. For example, one or morepartitions 114 can be configured to allow a head of livestock to movebetween livestock bed 102 and walking lane 110 and/or prevent the headof livestock from moving between the walking lane and feed lane.

In this embodiment, livestock portion 14 can be configured to includeone or more holding pens 118. Each holding pen 118 may be configured totemporarily hold one or more head of livestock (e.g., in preparation formilking in milking parlor 90). Each holding pen 118 can be configured toallow a head of livestock access to at least a portion of milking parlor90, such as, to one or more milking stations 94 of the milking parlor.As shown, each holding pen 118 is configured to allow a head oflivestock access to three (3) of the six (6) milking stations 94 ofmilking parlor 90. In some embodiments, each holding pen (e.g., 118) ofa livestock portion (e.g., 14) is configured to allow a head oflivestock access to any suitable number of milking stations (e.g., 94)of a milking parlor (e.g., 90), such as, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 15or more milking stations. By allowing one or more holding pens 118access to respective milking parlors 90, livestock portion 14 is capableof milking a larger number of livestock (e.g., as compared to a singlecentralized milking parlor exposed to a single holding pen).

In this embodiment, a head of livestock can freely move between (e.g.,have effectively unlimited access to) a livestock bed (e.g., 102), awalking lane (e.g., 110), a holding pen (e.g., 118), and/or a milkingparlor (e.g., 90) such that the head of livestock can decide when toeat, drink, rest, and/or be milked. For example, distinguishable from alivestock portion where cows are gathered in large groups (e.g., threeor more livestock at a time) to a milking parlor to be milked, thelivestock in the present livestock portions can stay in their respectivelivestock beds 102 and, under their own free will, can walk to milkingparlor 90 (e.g., accessible via walking lane 110) to be milked. Forfurther example, a head of livestock can voluntarily leave livestock bed102 and walk toward feed lane 106, where the head of livestock canconsume feed that is in the feed lane.

Livestock portion 14 can also include a basement 122. For example,basement 122 of livestock portion 14 depicted in FIG. 8 is one exampleof a basement layout. In this embodiment, basement 122 comprises one ormore rooms wherein milk can be collected, cooled, prepared for transportor storage, preliminarily processed (e.g., by basic filtration),prepared for further processing and/or the like. Basement 122 may alsocomprise one or more rooms wherein administrative operations can beconducted. As used herein, a “room” may be used to describe a space thatis isolated by three or more walls which may extend between a floor anda ceiling of the room. Each room may have an opening configured to allowpersonnel access into the room.

As shown, basement 122 comprises a loading room 126, discussed infurther detail below. In the depicted embodiment, basement 122 comprisesone or more utility rooms 130 configured to comprise equipment forcontrolling one or more of the following systems: milk wash systems,cooling systems, purification systems, filtration systems, electricalcontrol systems, vacuum systems, and/or the like. By having one or moreutility rooms 130 dedicated to controlling one or more respectivesystems of livestock portion 14 (e.g., a fluid control room havingcontrols for controlling fluid flow throughout the livestock portion, anelectrical control room having controls for controlling electricitythroughout the livestock portion, and/or the like) personnel can quicklycontrol one more systems of the livestock portion from a single,centralized location. Further, by having one or more utility rooms 130dedicated to controlling one or more respective systems of livestockportion 14, basement 122 prevents cross-contamination betweenelectricity (e.g., in a utility room 130 for controlling electricity)and fluid (e.g., in in a utility room 130 for controlling fluid flow).

Basement 122 may be positioned at an elevation below floor 18 oflivestock portion 14. Distinguishable from an area that is at anelevation below the elevation at which livestock is milked (e.g.,elevation of milking parlor (e.g., 90)), but at the substantially sameelevation or at an elevation above a floor (e.g., 18) of a livestockportion (e.g., 14), basement 122 is positioned beneath both floor 18 andmilking parlors 90 of livestock portion 14. In the depicted embodiment,because milking parlors 90 are positioned at an elevation above basement122, gravity tends to assist milk flow from the milking parlors to thebasement. In some embodiments, one or more pumps can (e.g., also) assistin enabling milk to pass from one or more milking parlors (e.g., 90) toa basement (e.g., 122). Milk from one or more milking parlors 90 (e.g.,with the assistance of gravity and/or one or more pumps) can be directedto a storage tank (e.g., within one or more utility rooms 130).

In this embodiment, basement 122 is configured to be accessible by oneor more vehicles 134 (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, or morevehicles). More particularly, loading room 126 of basement 122 can beconfigured to accommodate at least a portion of one or more vehicles.For example, loading room 126 may be sized such that at least a portionof one or more vehicles 134 can move into the loading room (e.g., viaone or more openings 138). While one or more vehicles 134 are withinloading room 126, milk from one or more milking parlors 90 can bedirected (e.g., with the assistance of gravity and/or one or more pumps)to the vehicles (e.g., without directing the milk to a storage tank).

As shown, livestock portion 14 may include one or more passageways 142(see FIG. 7, for example) configured to allow personnel (e.g., on foot)and/or vehicle access to various locations within livestock portion. Inthis embodiment, livestock portion 14 comprises a single passageway 142.In some embodiments, a livestock portion (e.g., 14) may comprise 1, 2,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more passageways.

Passageway 142 can be positioned within livestock portion 14 such thatinteraction between livestock within the livestock portion and vehiclesand/or personnel within the livestock portion is reduced (e.g., ascompared to interaction between livestock and vehicles and/or personnelwhen the vehicles and/or personnel traverse floor 18 of the livestockportion to access the same locations within the livestock portion). Byminimizing interaction between livestock and vehicles and/or personnelwithin livestock portion 14, disruptions in milking operations may bereduced and cow comfort may be increased.

As shown in FIG. 3, for example, at least a portion of passageway 142 isconfigured to be positioned at an elevation below floor 18 of livestockportion 14. For example, at least a portion of passageway 142 can bepositioned at an elevation that is approximately the same elevation asbasement 122. In some embodiments, at least a portion of a passageway(e.g., 142) is positioned above an elevation above a basement (e.g.,122) but below an elevation of a floor (e.g., 18) of a livestock portion(e.g., 14). In some embodiments, at least a portion of a passageway(e.g., 142) is configured to be positioned at an elevation that isapproximately the same elevation as a floor (e.g., 18) of a livestockportion (e.g., 14).

Passageway 142 may be configured to extend in any suitable directionbetween first side 46, second side 50, front side 54, and back side 58of livestock portion 14. As shown in FIG. 7, passageway 142 extends fromback side 58 to basement 122. Passageway 142 can, but is not requiredto, include a slope. For example, passageway 142 can comprise a slopeextending between basement 122 and back wall 74 (e.g., sloping downwardfrom the back wall toward the basement, or vice versa). Passageway 142can comprise any suitable slope, such as, approximately any one of,greater than approximately any one of, or between any two of, thefollowing: 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, 0.45, 0.5, 0.6,0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0,2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 15 percent ofslope.

Passageway 142 may be sized to accommodate one or more vehicles (e.g.,134) such that the vehicle may drive through the passageway. Forexample, passageway 142 may comprise a width ranging from approximately2 feet to approximately 300 feet or more, such as, approximately any oneof, greater than approximately any one of, or between approximately anytwo of, the following: 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 40, 45, 50,55, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 feet. Passageway 142 maycomprise a height ranging from approximately 2 feet to 50 feet or more,such as, approximately any one of, greater than approximately any oneof, or between approximately any two of the following: 2, 3, 4, 5, 10,15, 20, 25, 30, 35 40, 45, and 50 feet. Passageway 142 may comprise anyappropriate length, such as, approximately any one of, greater thanapproximately any one of, or between approximately any two of, 5, 10,20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 percent of a length of a side(e.g., first side 46, second side 50, front side 54, or back side 58) oflivestock portion 14.

Passageway 142 can have one or more access openings 146 configured toact as entrances and/or exits to the passageway for vehicles and/orpersonnel to access livestock portion 14. In this embodiment, passageway142 includes an access opening 146 at basement 122 such that vehiclesand/or personnel can access the passageway via the basement. Passageway142 (e.g., also) includes an access opening 146 on back side 58 oflivestock portion 14 such that vehicles and/or personnel can access thepassageway via the exterior of the livestock portion. Passageway 142 mayhave any suitable number of access openings 146. In this embodiment,passageway 142 includes two access openings 146. In some embodiments, apassageway (e.g., 142) includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or moreaccess openings (e.g., 146).

Passageway 142 includes one or more access tunnels 150 configured toprovide access to floor 18, and more particularly, to one or moremilking parlors 90, from the passageway. For example, each access tunnel150 is configured to extend between the passageway and enclosure 98 ofmilking parlor 90 such that personnel can enter the enclosure from thepassageway via the access tunnel. Personnel can access one or moreaccess tunnels 150 of passageway 142 to perform maintenance (e.g., onone or more milking parlors 90), perform veterinary care (e.g., onlivestock within livestock portion 14), deliver chemicals (e.g., to oneor more milking parlors 90), and/or perform other tasks related tomaintaining the structure and/or providing livestock comfort and health.Passageway 142 may have any suitable number of access tunnels 150. Inthis embodiment, passageway 142 includes 8 access tunnels 150. In someembodiments, a passageway (e.g., 142) includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or more access tunnels (e.g., 150).

Structure 10 can comprise a commodity portion 154 suitable forreceiving, mixing, and/or preparing for distribution of feed tolivestock within livestock portion 14. One embodiment of commodityportion 154 of structure 10 is depicted in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. In thisembodiment, commodity portion 154 includes a delivery platform 158, aloader platform 162, and a mixing platform 166. Each of deliveryplatform 158, loader platform 162, and mixing platform 166 cooperate toincrease the amount of product that can be delivered at one time andimprove loading and mixing efficiencies as described below.

As shown, delivery platform 158 may be configured to accommodate one ormore vehicles 170 (e.g., via one or more ramps). For example, deliveryplatform 158 may include one or more lanes for managing vehicle traffic.Vehicles 170 on delivery platform 158 may be loaded with product, suchas, animal fodder (e.g., silage, hay, cotton seed, corn, wheatlage,sorghum, or other bulk commodities, one or more trace minerals, and/orthe like). In this embodiment, each vehicle 170 may be configured tounload product within the vehicle onto loader platform 162. For example,delivery platform 158 may comprise one or more openings such thatproduct may be unloaded from the delivery platform onto loader platform162 through the openings in the delivery platform. In some embodiments,one or more of a delivery platform (e.g., 158), a loader platform 162,and/or a mixing platform (e.g., 166) includes a feed mill configured toreceive product that is unloaded from vehicles 170. As shown, commodityportion 154 may have two vehicles 170 or more on delivery platform 158at one time, one of which may be unloading product onto loader platform162 and one of which may be entering or exiting the commodity portion.By allowing multiple vehicles 170 on delivery platform 158 at a time,more volume of product and a greater variety of product can be unloadedonto loader platform 162 while reducing a risk of automotive accidents.

In the depicted embodiment, loader platform 162 of commodity portion 154includes one or more bays 174. As shown, each of bays 174 may beconfigured to be at least partially disposed beneath delivery platform158. For example, each of bays 174 may be configured such that productunloaded from vehicles 170 on delivery platform 158 lands in one or moreof the bays. As shown, each bay 174 may be separated from an adjacentbay 174 by a partition 178 such that product within each bay does notcomingle. For example, one or more partitions 178 may extend from loaderplatform 162 to delivery platform 158. In this embodiment, loaderplatform 162 may be configured to accommodate one or more loadervehicles 176 (e.g., an automated and/or user-operated pay loader, and/orthe like). Loader vehicles 176 may be configured to move product fromone or more bays 174 to mixing platform 166.

Mixing platform 166 may be configured to accommodate one or more (e.g.,central and/or mobile) mixers 182. As shown, mixing platform 166 may belaterally and vertically spaced from delivery platform 158. Moreparticularly, in this embodiment, mixing platform 166 may be disposed atan elevation below an elevation of loader platform 162 and/or anelevation of delivery platform 158. For example, mixing platform 166 maybe disposed from approximately two (2) feet to approximately sixteen(16) feet or more (e.g., approximately 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16 feet or more) below loader platform 162. By providingmixing platform 166 that is below loader platform 162, loader vehicles176 can more quickly and/or precisely move product into mixers 182(e.g., as compared to having to raise and dump product when the vehiclesand the mixers are on the same platform).

As shown, commodity portion 154 is coupled to livestock portion 14 via acommodity passageway 186. In this embodiment, commodity passageway 186may include sidewalls and/or a roof such that the commodity passagewayis at least partially isolated from air outside of structure 10. In someembodiments, a commodity passageway (e.g., 186) of a structure (e.g.,10) is open to air outside of the structure. In some embodiments, acommodity portion (e.g., 154) is directly adjacent to a livestockportion (e.g., 14) of a structure (e.g., 10) such that a commoditypassageway (e.g., 186) can be omitted.

In the depicted embodiment, livestock portion 14 may include anautomated feed delivery system 190. Feed delivery system 190 may besimilar in operation to a streetcar system. For example, feed deliverysystem 190 may comprise a guide track 194 configured to guide one ormore feed delivery vehicles 198 about floor 18 of livestock portion 14such that the feed delivery vehicle can deliver suitable portions offeed to the livestock. At least a portion of guide track 194 may bepositioned at an elevation above floor 18, and more particularly, aboveone or more feed lanes 106. Guide track 194 may comprise a track, suchas, a metal rail, a wire track, and/or the like. In this embodiment,guide track 194 comprises a predetermined path (e.g., as indicated bydirectional arrows 202). In other embodiments, a guide track (e.g., 194)may guide movement of one or more feed delivery vehicles (e.g., 198)along an improvised path. In this embodiment, guide track 194 is coupledto roof 22. Each feed delivery vehicle 198 may be coupled to guide track194 via one or more shafts and/or cables. At least because roof 22 issubstantially parallel to floor 18, feed delivery vehicle 198 is able tomaintain being coupled with guide track 194 on roof 22 (e.g., via one ormore shafts and/or cables) as the vehicle moves about the floor.Further, by controlling movement of feed delivery vehicle 198 from abovethe vehicle, feed delivery system 190 reduces a risk of communicationloss between guide track 194 and the feed delivery vehicle (e.g., ascompared to feed delivery systems having a guide track (e.g., 194) on afloor (e.g., 18) of a livestock portion (e.g., 14), which may becomeobstructed due to dirt, feed, and/or the like on the guide track).

Guide track 194 may be configured to transmit signals (e.g., electricalsignals, radio signals, magnetic signals, and/or the like) to feeddelivery vehicle 198, which can provide instructions regarding the feeddelivery vehicle's movement (e.g., instructions regarding a position, avelocity, an acceleration, and/or the like of the feed deliveryvehicle), instructions regarding feed delivery (e.g., volume and/orweight of feed delivered), and/or the like. In some embodiments,movement of a feed delivery vehicle (e.g., 198) can be configured to becontrolled using a global positioning system (GPS).

Movement of feed delivery vehicle 198 may be automated (e.g., based on apredefined schedule of feeding and/or a preprogrammed layout oflivestock portion 14) and/or user-controlled (e.g., via personnel in oneor more utility rooms 130).

In this embodiment, feed delivery vehicle 198 may be loaded with feedwithin commodity portion 154 (e.g., on loader platform 162 and/or onmixing platform 166) and subsequently move along guide track 194 todistribute feed to livestock within livestock portion 14. For example,feed delivery vehicle 198 may move in a snake-like pattern along guidetrack 194 (e.g., as indicated by directional arrows 202) to distributefeed along feed lanes 106. When feed delivery vehicle 198 has completeddistributing feed in feed lanes 106, the feed delivery vehicle may movealong guide track 194 to return to commodity portion 154 (e.g., to bereloaded with feed).

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 are perspective illustrations of a second embodimentof the present structures designated as structure 10 a. Structure 10 acan be substantially similar to structure 10, with the primaryexceptions described blow. Livestock portion 14 a of structure 10 aincludes an administrative portion 205 at front side 54 of the livestockportion. Administrative portion 205 may be configured to accommodatepersonnel, office furniture and equipment, and/or the like, which may beneeded to operate and maintain structure 10.

Referring now to FIG. 14, shown therein and designated by the referencenumeral 10 b is a third embodiment of the present structures. Structure10 b can be substantially similar to structure 10, with the primaryexceptions described blow. Livestock portion 14 b of structure 10 bincludes an air regulating system 206 to assist in controlling airconditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, air flow, air quality, and/orthe like) within the livestock portion. For example, air regulatingsystem 206 may comprise a heating, ventilation and air conditioning(HVAC) system.

In this embodiment, air regulating system 206 comprises one or more airhandlers 210, each having one or more of the following: a blower 214,one or more heating and/or cooling elements 218, one or more filterracks or chambers, one or more sound attenuators, and one or moredampers. In the depicted embodiment, air regulating system 206 comprisesone or more fans 82. In this embodiment, one or more air handlers 210can each serve as an air inlet to allow air to enter livestock portion14 and one or more fans 82 can serve as an air outlet (e.g., the fanscan be in fluid communication with an air scrubber 222, a discussedbelow, and/or in fluid communication with an exhaust vent) to allow airto exit the livestock portion.

As shown, air regulating system 206 may include an air scrubber 222configured to purify air exhausted from livestock portion 14 b. Forexample, air scrubber 222 may comprise one or more solvents to capturemethane exhausted from livestock portion 14 b. In this embodiment, airregulating system 206 includes one or more ducts 226 configured toconvey to air scrubber 222 air that is exhausted by one or more fans 82.For example, one or more blowers 214 of one or more air handlers 210 maybe configured to cooperate with one or more ducts 226 to urge air withinthe ducts toward air scrubber 222. In the depicted embodiment, methanecaptured by air scrubber 222 may be utilized in an air unit to at leastpartially power air regulating system 206. In this embodiment, airscrubber 222 may be configured to reintroduce air suitable for breathinginto livestock portion 14 b (e.g., after sufficiently capturing themethane and otherwise treating the air exhausted by one or more fans82). Air reintroduced into livestock portion 14 b may be heated and/orcooled by one or more air handlers 210 (e.g., via one or more heatingand/or cooling elements 218) before being reintroduced into thelivestock portion.

In some embodiments, an air scrubber (e.g., 222) is omitted from an airregulating system (e.g., 206), and, as such, air exhausted by one ormore fans (e.g., 82) is released into the atmosphere. In theseembodiments, because methane is not captured and/or utilized to power anair regulating system (e.g., 206), conventional methods of powering theair regulating system are needed (e.g., electrical energy, energy fromnatural gas, hydroelectric energy, and/or the like). In someembodiments, one or more heating and/or cooling elements (e.g., 218) ofone or more air handlers (e.g., 210) may be configured to cool and/orheat air being flowing into a livestock portion (e.g., 14 b).

The present disclosure also includes modifying and/or supplementingexisting structures (e.g., an open lot structure, a Saudi-style barn, anatural ventilation barn, a forced ventilation barn, and/or the like) tocomprise one or more features described in this disclosure. Any existingstructure can be modified and/or supplemented with one or more of thefeatures described herein, such as those depicted in FIGS. 1-14 ordescribed with respect thereto. For example, any one of floor 18, roof22, fans 82, basement 122, passageway 142, feed delivery system 190, airregulation system 206, and/or the like, and any features related theretocan be added to an existing structure (e.g., an open lot structure, aSaudi-style barn, a natural ventilation barn, a forced ventilation barn,and/or the like) to provide one or more of the advantages describedherein with respect to structures 10, 10 a, and 10 b.

As used herein, an “open lot” structure generally includes one or moreparlors, one or more outdoor holding pens, a fence, a feed manger, andwater troughs. In some environments, such as cold or windy climates, anopen lot can include partitions (e.g., windbreaks) to provide protectionfor livestock. In other environments, such as hot climates, an open lotcan include a covering (e.g., steel shades, impermeable cloth, permeablefabric, and/or the like) to provide protection from heat for thelivestock. Some open lots may include both windbreaks and shadingstructures.

As used herein, a “Saudi-style barn” can include any of the features ofan open lot and additionally includes a covering over a portion of alivestock pen, for example, approximately one quarter of the livestockpen, to cover the feed manger and water troughs to provide protectionfor livestock from the heat. For example, the covering traditionallyincludes a steel structure with a gable or double-sloped roof to allowheat to rise to an open ridge and/or center of the structure to escape.Saudi-style barns can include fans and/or misters (e.g., including highpressure mist introduced in front of the fans that blow from the rooftoward livestock within the structure), such as over the feed mangerand/or water troughs.

The existing structures can also include a natural ventilation barnand/or a forced ventilation barn, each of which can include livestockbeds and holding and/or exercise pens, can provide covering over thefull area in which livestock sleeps, eats, and drinks, such as over thefeed manger and water troughs. These existing natural and/or forcedventilation barns can include multiple variations, such as, a cross-ventbarn, tunnel-vent barns, and/or a structure (e.g., 10, 10 a, 10 b) asshown and described herein. These existing natural and/or forcedventilation barns can include individual stalls for livestock that havesand, manure compost, and/or mattresses. Individual stalls can bedivided by free-stall loops (e.g., metal loops separated byapproximately 4 feet). In some embodiments, existing natural ventilationbarns may not include sidewalls, which permits natural air to movethrough the barn to cool livestock. In such an embodiment, theseexisting natural ventilation barns can include partitions (e.g.,windbreaks and/or curtains) that can be lowered along the side toprotect livestock in the barn from undesirable weather, such as rain,cold, wind, or heat. In other embodiments, existing forced ventilationbarns can include sidewalls, and fans can be coupled at one end of thestructure, such that the fans can be activated to remove air from thestructure, thus drawing air through the barn to engage and coollivestock. In some embodiments, the fans are coupled to the sidewallssuch that air is drawn through the barn from sidewall to sidewall. Insome embodiments, existing natural and/or forced ventilation barns caninclude misters (e.g., high pressure misters). These existing naturaland/or forced ventilation barns can comprise a concrete floor, andnatural ground or dirt for individual stalls.

For example, modifying and/or supplementing an existing structure mayallow the structure to accommodate a larger number of livestock and canprovide the existing structure one or more of the following functions:livestock housing, veterinary care, milk extraction, milk processing,milk loading, milk storage, feed delivery, utility management, and/orother functions. By modifying and/or supplementing the existingstructure with these accommodations and/or functions, an overallfootprint of the modified and/or supplemented structure can beminimized. Further, as described herein, the positioning of one or moreof these important operational functions within the modified and/orsupplemented structure and/or the physical features of the modifiedand/or supplemented structure and the related methods can be configuredto provide improved operational efficiencies, such as, efficiencies incooling and/or heating air within the structure, efficiencies inprecipitation collection, efficiencies in waste management, efficienciesin delivering, loading, and/or mixing commodity from a delivery vehicleand/or efficiencies in constructing the structure. The positioning ofone or more of these important operational functions within the modifiedand/or supplemented structure and/or the physical features of themodified and/or supplemented structure and the related methods can alsoresult in reduced human interaction with livestock, thereby improvinglivestock comfort, which is important to a profitable, well-runlivestock operation. Further, the physical features of the modifiedand/or supplemented structure and the related methods allow for themodified and/or supplemented portion of the structure to be built onpreviously unsuitable typography.

The present disclosure further includes methods, such as methods ofmaking a structure (e.g., 10, 10 a, 10 b). Such methods can compriseinstalling one or more supporting structures (e.g., 42) into the groundand coupling a roof (e.g., 22) to the one or more supporting structures.The methods can comprise, after coupling the roof (e.g., 22) to the oneor more supporting structures (e.g., 42), one or more of the following:providing a floor (e.g., 18) beneath the roof, installing one or moremilking parlors (e.g., 90) beneath the roof, installing one or morelivestock beds (e.g., 102) beneath the roof, installing one or morewalking lanes (e.g., 110) beneath the roof, installing one or moreholding pens (e.g., 118) beneath the roof, installing one or more feedlanes (e.g., 106) beneath the roof.

In operation, structure 10 can be used as follows. For example,livestock can be held within livestock beds 102 and air quality and/ormovement can be controlled (e.g., from basement 122). A commodity truck(e.g., 170) can deliver commodity (e.g., feed) to commodity portion 154of structure 10. Thereafter, a mixer (e.g., within commodity portion154) can mix the feed and place the feed into one or more feed deliveryvehicles 198. One or more feed delivery vehicles 198, guided by guidetrack 194, move through one or more feed lanes 106 within structure 10and distribute feed onto the feed lanes. When a head of livestockdecides to be milked, it can leave its livestock bed 102 and walk toholding pen 118 (e.g., which may be accessible via walking lane 110).When a milking station 94 of milking parlor 90 becomes available,livestock can move into the milking station and milking may begin. Next,milk from milking parlor 90 is directed to basement 122. For example,milk from milking parlor 90 may be directed to one or more vehicles(e.g., 134) that are at least partially disposed within basement 122(e.g., within loading room 126). In some embodiments, milk from milkingparlor 90 may be directed to one or more storage tanks located withinbasement 122 (e.g., within one or more utility rooms 130). If milkingparlor 90 requires maintenance, personnel (e.g., within a vehicle and/oron foot) can access the milking parlor via passageway 142. For example,personnel and/or vehicle(s) may enter passageway 142 via access opening146 at basement 122 and/or access opening 146 at back side 58. Personnelmay enter enclosure 98 of milking parlor 90 via access tunnel 150 (e.g.,while livestock continue to be milked at the milking parlor). In thisway and others, personnel are able to minimize interaction withlivestock while performing maintenance. If a head of livestock requiresmedical attention, personnel may also use one or more access tunnels 150of passageway 142 to enter floor 18 and provide medical treatment.

The above specification and examples provide a complete description ofthe structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although certainembodiments have been described above with a certain degree ofparticularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of thisinvention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the presentstructures and methods are not intended to be limited to the particularforms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternativesfalling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than theones shown may include some or all of the features of the depictedembodiments. For example, components may be combined as a unitarystructure and/or connections may be substituted. Further, whereappropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may becombined with aspects of any of the other examples described to formfurther examples having comparable or different properties andaddressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will beunderstood that the benefits and advantages described above may relateto one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.

The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted toinclude, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such alimitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s)“means for” or “step for,” respectively.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A structure, comprising: a floor comprisinga non-zero slope; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof issubstantially parallel to the floor; one or more supporting structuresconfigured to support the roof; an air regulating system comprising: anair scrubber configured to receive air from the structure and capture anexhaust gas from the received air; an air unit configured to receive thecaptured exhaust gas and utilize the captured exhaust gas to at leastpartially power the air regulating system.
 2. The structure of claim 1,wherein the air regulating system includes a plurality of heating and/orcooling elements configured to heat and/or cool air that flows into thestructure.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein the air regulatingsystem includes a plurality of fans configured such that, whenactivated, one or more first ones of the plurality of fans remove airfrom the structure.
 4. The structure of claim 3, wherein one or moresecond ones of the plurality of fans are configured to cause air to flowinto the structure.
 5. The structure of claim 1, wherein the airscrubber is configured to direct air suitable for breathing into thestructure.
 6. The structure of claim 1, comprising a guide track coupledto a portion of the roof that is substantially parallel to the floor,wherein the guide track is configured to be coupled to one or morevehicles such that the guide track guides the movement of the one ormore vehicles about the floor.
 7. The structure of claim 1, wherein: thefloor includes a first portion having a first non-zero slope and asecond portion having a second non-zero slope; the first slope and thesecond slope are substantially equal and extend in opposite directions;and one of the first slope and the second slope comprises 0.38 to 0.25percent of slope.
 8. The structure of claim 1, comprising: a deliveryplatform configured to accommodate one or more vehicles; a loaderplatform comprising one or more bays, each of which are configured to beat least partially disposed beneath the delivery platform and areconfigured to receive product from the one or more vehicles on thedelivery platform; and a mixing platform configured to support one ormore mixers, wherein the mixing platform is disposed at an elevationbelow an elevation of the loader platform.
 9. The structure of claim 8,wherein each bay is separated from an adjacent bay by a partition. 10.The structure of claim 1, a passageway extending a majority of adistance between a first side and an opposing second side of thestructure, wherein the passageway is positioned at an elevation that isbelow an elevation of the floor.
 11. The structure of claim 10, whereinthe passageway comprises: a height from 2 feet to 20 feet; and a widthfrom 4 feet to 300 feet.
 12. A structure, comprising: a floor comprisinga non-zero slope; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof issubstantially parallel to the floor; one or more supporting structuresconfigured to support the roof; an air regulating system configured tocirculate air within the structure; and a passageway extending amajority of a distance between a first side and an opposing second sideof the structure, wherein the passageway is positioned at an elevationthat is below an elevation of the floor; wherein the air regulatingsystem includes: an air scrubber configured to receive air from thestructure and capture an exhaust gas from the received air; and an airunit configured to receive the captured exhaust gas and utilize thecaptured exhaust gas to at least partially power the air regulatingsystem.
 13. The structure of claim 12, wherein the air regulating systemincludes a plurality of heating and/or cooling elements configured toheat and/or cool air that flows into the structure.
 14. The structure ofclaim 12, wherein the air regulating system includes a plurality of fansconfigured such that, when activated, the plurality of fans remove airfrom the structure.
 15. A structure, comprising: a floor comprising anon-zero slope; a roof, wherein a majority of the roof is substantiallyparallel to the floor; one or more supporting structures configured tosupport the roof; an air regulating system configured to circulate airwithin the structure; and a guide track coupled to a portion of the roofthat is substantially parallel to the floor, wherein the guide track isconfigured to be coupled to one or more vehicles such that the guidetrack guides the movement of the one or more vehicles about the floor.16. The structure of claim 15, wherein the guide track is configured becoupled to the one or more vehicles via one or more shafts.
 17. Thestructure of claim 15, wherein the guide track is configured to guidemovement of the one or more vehicles along a predetermined or improvisedpath.
 18. The structure of claim 15, wherein the air regulating systemincludes: an air scrubber configured to receive air from the structureand capture an exhaust gas from the received air; and an air unitconfigured to receive the captured exhaust gas and utilize the capturedexhaust gas to at least partially power the air regulating system. 19.The structure of claim 18, wherein the exhaust gas includes methane.